12 dead in UK killing spree
A taxi driver went on a shotgun rampage in the Lake District today, killing 12 people and wounding at least 25 before turning his weapon on himself.
Divorced father-of-two Derrick Bird, 52, shot several colleagues in Whitehaven in Cumbria, then drove his cab through the countryside of the Lake District blasting other victims apparently at random.
Following a frantic manhunt, police found his body 20 miles away in woods near the hamlet of Boot three-and-a-half hours later.
Cumbria Police said there were 30 separate crime scenes.
Three people were in a critical condition in hospital, sources said.
Police described the shootings as “truly exceptional”.
Detective Chief Constable Stuart Hyde today said: “This has shocked the people of Cumbria and around the country to the core.
“Derrick Bird has been located near Boot at 1.40pm today and we believe he took his own life.”
Mr Hyde said two weapons had been recovered and 30 crime scenes were being attended.
He went on: “Our condolences go out to families and friends of those affected by the horrific incidents that unfolded today.
“These are local people and local police who knew the people killed and injured today.
“It’s been a truly exceptional and challenging incident that Cumbria Police has had to deal with today.”
He added: “This has shocked the people of Cumbria and the country to the core.”
